Subject:recording advice

Posted by: deburgess

Date:9/4/2004 8:46:07 AM

I am new at recording mucic from my cassette player to my computer using Sound Forge.

When I connect the line output of the cassette deck directly to my sound card, I obtain recording levels of roughly -12 db. After recording the tracks, I use the Volume Process to double the volume to arround -6 db.

The tracks sound good, but I want to do the job right.

Should I use a mixer to amplify the signal before I connect to my sound card?

On the other hand, does using SF Volume Process introduce the same or less noise as a Behringer mixer electronic amplifier?

The line output on my panasonic stereo mixer does not provide amplification. I can obtain amplification by connecting the headphones output on my stereo mixer to my sound card, but I am worried that this setup will introduce noise or an impedance mismatch.

Subject:RE: recording advice

Reply by: rraud

Date:9/4/2004 2:00:28 PM

-12 dB is an acceptable record level. Going though a mixer or other amp would just add noise .
However...... you could try to raise the record level 6 - 7dB by adjusting your sound card's record volume level (being careful not to clip) ..... then..... "Peak Normalize" to -0.01dB. Process>Normalize/Peak level

To adj. soundcard rec. level:
Double click speaker icon: Options>Properties>Recording

Subject:RE: recording advice

Reply by: deburgess

Date:9/5/2004 9:16:09 AM

Thank you very much for your advice.

I am using a Waveterminal 192L sound card. When I attempt to adjust the recording level, I only have the option to change the volume of the MIC input.

Is anyone out there familiar with waveterminal sound cards? Do they NOT provide amplification for their line input, OR am I missing something?

My current record peak levels are much smaller than the -6db value recommended in the Sound Forge manual.